Buy Local Food In Kitsap

NEW!! Local Christmas Trees!

Local Choose and Cut Christmas Tree Farms are open for business from the weekend after Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve. The Kitsap Sun maps local farms http://www.kitsapsun.com/christmas-trees/ or you can check out the Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Growers Assn. 2009 Choose and Cut Guide at: http://www.nwtrees.com/choose_and_cutframe.htm. Buy a locally grown Christmas Tree and support local farmers!

Following is a roundup of local, regional and national events courtesy of Diane Fish:

NEW!! Celebrate Sustainable Agriculture and Support Local Farm-School Programs!
Thursday, December 3, 5 – 8pm
Join in honoring and thanking farmers at Suyematsu-Bentryn Farms for their stewardship and dedication to sustainable agriculture, their support and commitment to local K-12 education and enjoy award winning, locally grown wine! This event benefits Bainbridge Island’s EduCulture Project and its work enhancing classroom curricula, nurturing school gardens, and enriching school lunches, helping preserve local sustainable agriculture, and grow future generations of farmers. Bainbridge Island Vineyards and Winery, 8989 Day Road East, Bainbridge Island. RSVP to Garfunkel@GlobalSourcenetwork.org or 206-780-5797

Bainbridge Christmas in the Country
December 4-5, 10am – 5pm and December 6, 11am – 5pm
The event spreads through several venues: Sweetlife Farm, a cottage industry deep in the woods; the rustic barn at Hazel Creek Farm; Hajnalka’s Studio; the community room in Suite G at Lynwood Commons in the historic Lynwood district; the nonprofit Island Music Center in Rolling Bay; and Countryman Stables for free pony rides for kids in a covered arena. Info: www.christmasinthecountry.info

Kitsap Community and Agricultural Alliance
December 8, 6:30pm
Willapa Hills Farmstead Cheese on The Craft of Artisan Cheesemaking. At the Norm Dicks Center, 345 Sixth Street, Bremerton, WA http://willapahillsfarmsteadcheese.com/home.html. Note earlier than usual start time!

Pacific Northwest Salmon Center Open House
December 9, 3 – 6pm
Growing crops and rearing alpacas have been added to the list of programs being conducted by Pacific Northwest Salmon Center, which recently moved into its new home near the Belfair wetlands at the center, which is located at the end of Roessel Road in Belfair. Read more: http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/nov/22/salmon-center-embraces-new-farm-home/#ixzz0XbhMBZSu

Farm Hands – Afterschool Programming
December 9, 11:30am – 4:30pm
Join us for a fall afternoon full of learning, playing games and having fun while investigating and experiencing life on a working farm. For Elementary Students, Grades 1-4 at Suyematsu‐Bentryn Farms, 8989 Day Rd. East, Bainbridge Island. $65 per child, per session. For info http://www.globalsourcenetwork.org or call (206) 780-5797

NEW!! Roze-El Stables Christmas Open House
December 12, 11am – 5pm
Drop in for a bit of Christmas cheer. Bring the kids to visit Santa and meet Mrs. Santa and their elves! Plan on going for a pony ride, too! Family pets are welcome for pictures with Santa (dogs must be on a leash). Free admission, Pictures with Santa ($25) and Pony rides ($10) Event includes free hot apple cider, hot cocoa, candy canes, visiting bunnies, goats and mini horses, too! Please call to schedule your picture time: 360-871-4887. 3479 Locker Road SE, Port Orchard, WA

Westsound Beekeepers
December 15, 7:00pm
At Stedman’s Bee Supplies located at 3763 NW Anderson Hill Road, Silverdale, WA. http://www.westsoundbees.org/index.htm

NEW!! Kitsap Peninsula Mycological Society
December 17, 6:30pm
Annual Potluck at the I.O.O.F Hall at 100 S. Dora, Bremerton, Washington. If you are interested in mushrooms, this is the organization for you. Your level of knowledge in the mycological field need not be great to join. Our membership includes mushroom hunters, mushroom growers, chefs, photographers, amateur and professional mycologists. http://www.kitsapmushrooms.org/index.php

Bainbridge Island Farmers Market – Winter Market
Until December 19, 10am – 3pm
Join us on Saturdays in November and December at the Eagle Harbor Congregational Church on the corner of Winslow Way and Madison Avenue for seasonal produce, holiday foods and décor, juried art and craft for gifts or personal indulgence.

Growing Groceries – Organically
January 9, 9am – 3pm
A series of classes designed and taught by WSU Kitsap County Extension Master Gardeners to helpyou create your own backyard organic vegetable garden. Class will be held at the Norm Dicks Government CenterMeeting Chambers. For info call Peg Tillery at 360-337-7224 or email Kathy Morse at kmorse@gmail.com

Regional Events

How to grow your own Mushrooms
December 6, 10am – 4pm
We will learn about several cultivation techniques for Shiitake, Maitake, Reishi, Oyster, Lion’s Mane, Conifer Corral mushrooms and each participant will have the opportunity to plug their own log with the mushroom of their choice to take home with them. One log and spore plugs to inoculate it are included in the cost of the workshop. Participants will also have the opportunity to buy additional mycelium plugs and/or logs. 16827 Hickory Ln, Yelm, WA Cost: $80. For more info call Satora at (360) 446-0052 NewEarth@fairpoint.net

Winter Safety Workshop
December 8, 8:30am – 3:15pm
Includes FB Retro/Safety Program Updates, How to Perform Workplace Inspections, On-Line Claims Management and Analysis Tools. Optional Afternoon Session – Worker Protection Standard Training, Pesticide Safety. Farm Bureau, 975 Carpenter Rd NE. Lacy, WA. For questions please contact Corwyn Fischer at 360-528-2922.

Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit – Key Ingredients: America By Food
Until December 20, 10am – 4pm (Tues –Sat)
Key Ingredients: America by Food explores the connections between Americans and the foods they produce, prepare, preserve, and present at the table – a provocative and thoughtful look at the historical, regional, and social traditions that merge in everyday meals and celebrations. Cowlitz County Historical Museum, 405 Allen St. Kelso, WA 98626. 360-577-3119. http://www.keyingredients.org/

Backyard Beekeeping 101
January 9, 10:30am – Noon
Learn the basics of backyard beekeeping and decide if it is right for you. http://www.seattletilth.org/learn/classes-and-workshops/backyard-beekeeping-101 $30 for Tilth members, $40 non-members. Advance registration and payment is required. For info call Carrie Niskanen 206-633-0451 x101. Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 408 Delridge Way SW, Seattle, WA 98106.

Starting With Baby Chicks
January 9, 1:30 – 4pm
A comprehensive introductory course for those interested in keeping chickens and want to start with baby chicks. http://www.seattletilth.org/learn/classes-and-workshops/starting-with-baby-chicks $30 for Tilth members, $40 non-members. Advance registration and payment is required. For info call Carrie Niskanen 206-633-0451 x101. Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 408 Delridge Way SW, Seattle, WA 98106.

NEW!! Small Farm Expo and Cattleman’s Winter School
January 30, 7:30am – 5pm
Do you own a few acres and want to farm it? Do you want to raise your own beef? Improve your animal project? Or just want to learn about country living? Join us at the Stanwood High School. Register and download the program at http://skagit.wsu.edu/CountryLivingExpo/index.htm. Cost $50 – includes a prime rib lunch!

National Events

NEW!! Webinar: Making Organic Small Grains Work on Your Farm
December 3, 10 – 11am PST
Find out how to grow organic small grains, including wheat, barley, rye and oats. This free webinar will cover: The economics and marketing of crops , importance of soil health and minimal tillage, fertility management and acceptable organic nutrient sources, weed and pest management, transition tips and rotation design. Preregister at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/531696763

Webinars: “Livestock composting,” “Issues & Concerns of Burial,” &
“Horses in a Down Economy”
December 10, 10:30am – 12pm EST
Dr. Thomas Glanville, Iowa St. University will discuss “Livestock composting”, Dyan Pratt, University of Saskatchewan will discuss “Issues and Concerns of Burial”, and Dr. Ann Swinker, Penn State will discuss “Horses in a Down Economy”
Go to: http://extension.umaine.edu/ByproductsSymposium09/Webinar.htm

Farm News & Views

Kitsap-U-Cut Farms: ‘tis the season for sawing
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/nov/24/at-kitsaps-u-cut-farms-tis-the-season-for-sawing/

Turkey farms a dying breed in Washington
http://www.king5.com/news/local/Fewer-Turkeys-74115937.html

New assessment support farmers in Island County
http://www.seattlepi.com/sound/412711_sound76474247.html

Noble firs harder to come by in 2009
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/412702_firs27.html

Permanent moratorium on exempt wells impacts Kittitas County.
http://www.kvnews.com/articles/2009/11/19/news/doc4b043df265a6c704882060.txt

Nash’s Organic Produce to expand
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009311309990